November 30 @ 5:00 pm - December 5 @ 5:00 pm

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This retreat is held under the auspices of Tibetan Buddhist master Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche with Jakob Leschly as his resident instructor.

About the course

The practice of Buddhist meditation allows us to uncover and experience our natural heritage of wisdom though cultivating insight or vipashyana.

It is to establish a peaceful space of presence and mindfulness, allowing us to awaken a calmer and wider appreciation of our reality.

A retreat is an invaluable moment of clarifying and reaffirming our commitment to the vision and path of meditation. Jakob Leschly will lead the 5-day retreat, offering general instruction and individual interviews.

Please email Kim at kim@saxton.co.nz to see the Vipashyana Retreat Schedule and Info document which outlines the proposed schedule to be followed and relates further information about how the retreat will be run and a more in-depth overview.

Newcomers needn’t feel apprehensive; the retreat is suitable both to those new to meditation through to the more seasoned practitioners.

Retreat start and finish time

The course will start at 5 pm on Friday 30th November for registration with dinner from 6 pm. Come earlier if you can to give yourself time to have a look around and get settled in. The course will finish at around 11 am on Wednesday 5th December.

Accommodation

There is a mixture of camping sites, single and shared rooms (2 single beds to a room) available.

Karma yoga

Each participant will be given a small daily job to be responsible for in helping out with the running of the retreat. Also a dishes rota will be in place.

What to bring

toiletries, a torch, walking shoes, sunscreen, hat & wet weather gear

hay fever remedies and other personal medications, if required

meditation shawl or small blanket (recommended)

extra cushions for how you feel comfortable sitting if you require them (there are cushions and chairs available).

Two sheets or a sleeping bag and one sheet. One blanket and a light duvet plus two pillows and two pillow cases are provided – if you have special requirements, please bring your own.

Towel/s

The weather can be unpredictable in November. It could be very hot or cool, and possibly wet so best to check the forecast and prepare accordingly.

Retreat Cost

This cost includes food and accommodation. Please prepay to secure your accomodation preference. Please enquire to the retreat coordinator if you are a member of Wangapeka study and retreat centre.

Pre payment is appreciated and can be made to: Red Hat Gompa Trust, 02-0832-0048488-000 (or 00 if your bank only allows 2 spaces) Please leave your name as a reference.

Registration

To register or if you have any questions, please contact the Retreat Coordinator, Kim at kim@saxton.co.nz or Mb: 021 116 2490. On registration please specify:

if you are gluten free

what accomodation preference suits you

if you would like to car pool from Christchurch

“We can actually declare that, as non-theistic Buddhists, we can free the whole world from pain. That’s the greatest news. And we are doing it properly, rather than worshipping somebody or going into a trance. We are doing it methodically, scientifically, psychologically. Starting with ourselves, we are expanding that news to others in turn. It is very definite and ordinary – and at the same time, it is quite remarkable.”Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche

About Jakob Leschly

Jakob became a student of Buddhism in 1974. He traveled to India in 1975, where he became a student of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, as well as Tulku Pema Wangyal. He met Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse in 1977 and became his student as well.

In the early 1980s Jakob did a three-year retreat in France, after which he worked for Association de Centre d’Etudes de Chanteloube. He has worked on translations from Tibetan, including Shabkar and Wondrous Dance of Illusion, and has also served as oral interpreter for several lamas. In the 1990s he lived in Bir, translating both Madhyamaka and sadhana material for Siddhartha’s Intent (SI). In the late 1990s he began leading study and practice programs for SI Western Door.

Working toward clear and inclusive presentations of Buddhism for modern lay people and non-Buddhists, Jakob wrote and edited many of the early summaries and blurbs presenting Rinpoche’s teachings and programs. In the 2000s he earned a BA in Tibetology at the University of Copenhagen, exploring the commonalities and differences between Buddhism and western humanities and sciences. Since 2008 he has lived in Australia, where he presently directs study and practice programs for SI Australia. He is also a member of the KF Ashoka Translation Grants Subcommittee.

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Welcome to the Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre. The Wangapeka is a purpose built retreat centre, with fresh clean air and beautiful vistas. It is very quiet and ideal for respite, stress relief and deep meditation. We have a meditation hall, solo retreat huts, a main hall for dining and community, and a fully catered kitchen and an onsite vegetable garden. Many people visit from all over the world to meditate and enjoy the beauty of the centre.

We are located in the foothills of the Southern Alps overlooking the Wangapeka River, about an hour and a half drive SW of Nelson, New Zealand.

We have meditation retreats throughout the year, have huts available for solo retreats, and welcome bookings from external groups. There are also opportunities available to work on our land. Come and enjoy this uniquely vibrant and peaceful centre.